Job Seekers

It occurred to me the other day as I bit into a homemade cookie from my co-worker how far we’ve come. I remember the days when baking for a colleague’s birthday or bringing in a batch of no-occasion brownies was considered poor practice because it suggested (for women, especially) that you had time on your hands. Instead of working more hours or thinking creatively in your spare time, you were wrist-deep in pie crust, giving people reason to view you not as a professional person, but a merely domestic one—or at the very least, an unambitious one. I’m so glad that notion has flown the coop.

It got me thinking, however, what other career advice is totally outdated? What arcane suggestions could we discard? I can think of at least five off the top of my head:

There was a time when gaps in your work history were the kiss of death for your career. However, in today’s market, employers often see people with gaps in their resumes. Layoffs and plant closures are common occurrences, and many adults find themselves voluntarily leaving the workforce to care for an ailing parent, raise children or even build their skill set. Even though hiring managers aren’t shocked by gaps, they will want you to explain them in an interview.